★★★★★
"honestly, I've been to several shops and I've really liked this one. they did a full on inspection of my 2012 Toyota Sienna and told me what I needed repaired or replaced. I really appreciated the fact that they didn't push me to do anything then and there. all the staff seemed super friendly and I appreciated their friendly attitudes at 8 AM (especially when you're still half asleep). I dropped off my car at 8:30, took about 2 minutes to get everything done, and I was on my way. they quoted me about 3 hours and finished within 2. great service (on my car and customer wise), highly recommend!"
- A. G.
All vehicle owners are familiar with their regular oil change, but here are 6 things that you might not know about engine oil:
1. It lubricates engine parts to prevent metal to metal contact and cleans up dirty deposits created during the combustion process.
2. Engine oils are rated in two ways: cold viscosity and hot viscosity, which indicates how the oil will respond to cold start ups.
3. Synthetic oils are distilled and rebuilt for better performance while mineral oils are essentially the same as when they are pulled from the ground.
4. Synthetic oils are more than just oil - they are scientifically modified to provide anti-wear, anti-oxidant, and anti-corrosion properties.
5. Added titanium in oils can actually reduce friction and engine wear.
6. Added magnetic particles in oil can also be beneficial because the magnetic particles cling to the engine to reduce wear upon start-up.
CARTHROTTLE.COM
6 Things You Might Not Know About Engine Oil
★★★★★
"Superb, professional, and friendly service - as usual. I highly recommend! "
- B. K.
A car’s starter is a small electric motor and solenoid that takes energy from the battery to push the starter gear into the flywheel. This process cranks the car and fires up the engine. If your car won’t start up correctly, it could be a starter issue.
What are the symptoms of a bad starter?
- Starter clicking
- Accessories run but engine does not
- Clicking after engine is on
- Smoke coming from under the hood
- Grinding noises after start up
CARBIBLES.COM
Symptoms of a Bad Starter | Car Bibles
★★★★★
"Just visited for the first time for an oil change and tire rotation. The shop was very efficient and friendly. This is the first car I've ever owned and the detailed report that they send via e-mail is incredibly meticulous! It makes it very easy to prioritize future maintenance. I will be back in the near future to replace my brake fluid and for my other car maintenance needs."
- J. M.
Transmission fluid is vital to the overall operation of your vehicle. In addition to lubricating the transmission’s internal parts, it also prevents overheating and metal-to-metal contact.
How often your transmission fluid will need to be replaced depends upon the make and model of your vehicle. Your vehicle’s manufacturer will recommend the correct interval. However, transmission fluid that looks dark brown, dirty, or sludgy should be replaced.
CARBIBLES.COM
When Is The Time To Change Your Transmission Fluid?
Don’t let your vehicle spook you!
Take care of your car’s fall maintenance now to keep your vehicle running at its best all October long. Important fall maintenance items include:
- Brake inspection
- Replace windshield wipers
- Check all fluids
- Inspect tires
- Test lights
- Check heater/defroster
What is a brake bleed?
A brake bleed is the process of removing air from the brake lines to restore your brake system to its best. Over time, small amounts of air can become trapped in your vehicle’s brake line. Air in the brake lines can decrease the effectiveness of your brakes significantly. If your brakes feel soft or spongy, you may need a brake bleed.
★★★★★
"Been using Foreign Auto service for over 15 years. Their profesionalism and transparency keeps me coming back. They have also embraced technology and also show you picture of the areas that need the most work. Phenomenal work guys! Thanks"
- R. S.
October is Fall Car Care Month, and now is the time to remember how addressing certain items like brakes, tires, belts and hoses and fluids, including oil, antifreeze, steering, brake, transmission, and wiper fluids, will help keep your car running smoothly and efficiently, saving money at the gas pump.
Other areas of the vehicle, such as heating and air conditioning systems, wipers, and lights, should also be checked periodically. #CarCare saves you money!
CARCARE.ORG
See How #CarCare Saves You Money - Be Car Care Aware
★★★★★
"Very professional, courteous, prompt, automated updated service progress, personable and friendly staff! As a first time user I was quite impressed, will return and would recommend to others!"
- G. S.
Are you familiar with your vehicle’s owner’s manual?
It may be collecting dust in your glove compartment. However, the owner’s manual contains important information regarding your vehicle’s proper maintenance intervals and features. Know how to reference it!
★★★★★
"Our family has becoming to Carlos and team for over the past two (2) years.
Carlos and has team provided the correct services on my vehicle after being over-quoted by a local NOVA Acura dealership. Found them based on other Google reviews and recently had my 80,000+ mile 2009 Acura MDX inspected. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
- Inspection: Gave an assessment WITH pictures of all key components and any potential repair items. Classified them in terms of severity.
- Repair: Presented a reasonable price for a repair. When picking up the vehicle, was told all the repair items weren't necessary and hence the total cost was less than anticipated.
- Service-Level: Educates you on the health of your car and what options you have...versus pushing immediate repairs."
- R. L.
Who is decorating their car for Halloween? 🎃
This one is amazing!
We have all experienced a scary car symptom, such as seeing the check engine light turn on or the sound of rattling bones coming from underneath the hood. But have you ever experienced something spooky or paranormal while inside your car?
We are getting in the Halloween spirit and want to hear your spooky car story below!
Who is guilty of this? 😂
★★★★★
"Very friendly customer service. The final bill was below the estimate. Recommend Foreign Auto Service highly."
- B. B.
Nobody wants to get into their vehicle when they have somewhere to be and find that their car won't start. Many of our minds will go to the same place - the battery must be dead. But, if so, why? Here are 8 things that can drain your vehicle's car battery, even when your car isn't running.
CARBIBLES.COM
8 Things That Will Drain Your Car Battery | Car Bibles
One way to avoid a turkey of a Thanksgiving road trip is to make sure the vehicle you will be driving is running well. A 10-minute pre-trip check is a quick and easy way to help avoid the inconvenience of a breakdown many miles away from home, says the non-profit Car Care Council.
Check the following:
- Fluids
- Belts & Hoses
- Tires
- Lights
- Wipers
CARCARE.ORG
Don’t Let Your Thanksgiving Road Trip be a Turkey - Be Car Care Aware
★★★★★
"Just visited for the first time for an oil change and tire rotation. The shop was very efficient and friendly. This is the first car I've ever owned and the detailed report that they send via e-mail is incredibly meticulous! It makes it very easy to prioritize future maintenance. I will be back in the near future to replace my brake fluid and for my other car maintenance needs."
- J. M.
Check engine light on?
The check engine light is your vehicle's way of letting you know that something is wrong. But don't stress - the best thing you can do is bring your vehicle into our shop for an inspection. Driving with the light on can make matters worse, and we will help find the solution that best fits the needs of you and your vehicle.
★★★★★
"Jim and Carlos were excellent! There is a lot on my car I can do myself as the daughter of a mechanic, but some things I really don't want to do. The shop was clean, everything was sanitized during Covid, and when I drove my car home it immediately felt like a silkier drive. My favorite part of the service is the full diagnostic check (with photos!) They do, it's worth it. Carlos was careful to explain to me what he felt was a priority and we discussed service points. I highly recommend this shop!"
- K. F.
Is it bad to drive your car if it doesn’t have a gas cap?
While it isn’t a major issue if caught early on, you don’t want to continue driving without a gas cap for an extended period of time. You’ll lose gas and debris and moisture can get into the fuel tank, causing performance and fuel efficiency issues over time.
It’s inexpensive to fix, so take care of a lost, missing, or broken gas cap!
AUTO.HOWSTUFFWORKS.COM
Is It Bad to Drive Without a Gas Cap?
Your vehicle’s transmission is critical to the overall operation of your car, which is why an issue with the transmission should always be inspected at the first sign of trouble.
Here are 3 transmission problems that you should never ignore:
1. Issues switching gears
2. Leaking transmission fluid
3. Check engine warning light is on
When’s the last time you replaced your vehicle’s cabin air filter?
The cabin air filter, typically located behind the glove compartment, is responsible for filtering the air that comes into the cabin of your vehicle. This helps to remove pollutants and other contaminants.
Cabin air filters typically need to be replaced every 20,000 miles or so, and breathing in dirty air can be a danger to your health.
Start the new year fresh by taking care of your vehicle’s outstanding maintenance!
Not only does routine auto care and preventative maintenance help keep your car safe and dependable, but it helps save money and avoid car trouble.
Happy New Year’s Eve!
Is your check engine light on? If so, we recommend having your vehicle inspected by one of our trusted mechanics as soon as possible.
The check engine light can oftentimes indicate an immediate issue, especially when paired with other symptoms.
★★★★★
"Excellent"
- J. S.
